http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Oceania , Australia , Northern Territory , Uluru en-us Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:29:10 UTC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:29:10 UTC 21st November 2008 STANLEY CHASM SIMPSONS GAPAs we were ahead of schedule we decided to spend a full day in Alice Springs rather than moving on straight away. Unfortunatley the pool on the campsite was closed so no morning swim for me. Instead we passed some time reading n lazing about near the van. Nice not to be driving for a whileAt around 11am we set out in the van to Stanley Chasm. W http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-348394.html Arrived in Alice Springs to thunderstorms and river flooding which hasn't happened for 16 years Roads closed as under water. Not my fault honest. Have great pictures of Aborigine children playing in the brown water. Don't know why they weren't at school. Alice is weird place there is an uneasiness about it which makes a tourist feel uncomfortable. There are groups of disconnected Ab http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-347691.html After an extensive bus journey through the streets of downtown Sydney early in the morning we had an uneventful flight over barren red lands. It was strange to be heading to an airport in the middle of nowhere with no big skyscrapers or any buildings of note for miles around. The bus picked us up and took us to the resort only 5minutes down the road and 30km from the rock itself. On checking in w http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-344343.html The Red CenterOctober 28 2008Happy birthday today to my big brother Jim in Denver Wersquore a day ahead here so he will celebrate tomorrow. Wersquove seen every nook and cranny of Uluru or so it seems. Most tourists here take short walks to see different paintings or waterholes around the rock. Of course we were obligated to walk the entire six miles around the rock. I guess it gave http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-340188.html Here is part two of two. A blog so big they had to increase the space in cyberspace Congratulations to Amanda Kennedy Vancouver our lucky blog reader who correctly answered last blogs Austrivia question. Amanda correctly answered that platypuses are the worlds only other monotreme mammals who lay eggs the other being echidnas. Your platypus is on its way. Get that terrarium ready. Goo http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-339634.html The RockOctober 27 2008Our 280 mile drive from Alice Springs to the middle of nowhere began early with a few stops along the way for gas and diversion. One roadhouse had caged emus and kangaroos for our amusement another had saddled up camels ready for a ride we passed and another had a memorial to some guys who had died at that spot in the high speed Cannonball Run. Our favorite stop was th http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-339254.html As I write this Nick is just starting his 3 hour shift of driving to the left is absolutly nothing but sandy dessertbush and the odd tree and to the right is exactly the same behind and in front is nothing but long long straight road. Its currently 9am and the temperature is already 88 degrees I've already driven 400km today putting in 3 hours starting at 6am. The last 5 days have been long http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-339197.html The early morning call that I had booked hand me springing out of bed at 0400. This was they day that I had been waiting for since I booked the trip. I checked out of the hotel at 0450 and waited in the darkness with my fellow passengers for the bus to arrive. We were picked up at 0500 and headed for 40 minutes towards Uluru Ayres Rock as the bus drove on the rock loomed in the distance i http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-339068.html Dinner 2 nights ago in Cairns was not what you'd call nutrious. H had gone to the grocery store and we dined on smoked Ocean Trout sundried tomato and feta corn thins similar to rice cakes Coco Puffs and Vanilla Almond cereal all bought at the grocery store a couple of chocolate bars that we'd bought at the crocodile farm and a bag of lime and black pepper potato chips. I love exploring dif http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-338143.html Okay I've only got 3 minutes so HIWatched the sunset at UluruAyers Rock last night. It didn't really change color as they say it does but then again maybe I just couldn't see it. Off to the airport for a flight to Alice Springs don't expect another blog until Melbourne. Unless I kill our tour guide first. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-338103.html Its been a long time since we updated the blog. On the last couple of days in Perth we didn't get up to much we chilled in Kings Park on one day and had a BBQ in the park they provide free gas BBQs that anyone can cook on Can you imagine that in England they would get vandalised in 2 minutes. On the final day in Perth we went to AQWA which is the Aquarium of Western Australia they show loa http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-336942.html Yesterday was another full day of sightseeing. We started with an early rise to go and see the first light of day strike Uluru. It was lovely but the coach driver wanted us back on our way just as it was getting to it's best colour. We then wondered round it's base and listened to some more culture. Later in the afternoon we visited Kata Tjuta which although not as famous as Ayre's Rock we enjo http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-336763.html Hi allWe are currently in Alice Springs after a very adventurous couple of days and time in the outback here in australia.We left Perth on Friday was an absolutely amazing place. Great lifestyle out there and the aussies are very laid back No dramas Had a sad g'bye at the airport but we had to move on to the next leg of our travels. We flew from Perth to Ayers Rock only a couple of hour http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-334017.html Hi everyoneWe've moved on to Port Douglas now and have had a chance to get into an internet cafe to put some photos on from Uluru previously known as Ayres RockDerek Joan http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-333093.html A very quick hello to all as we wait for our plane from Uluru to CairnsHave had a great time saw the sunset and sunrise over the Rock and walked the Valley of the winds todayA great place to come but only once as it's expensive and apart from seeing Ayres Rock and the Olgas there's not much else to doGot seats at the window on the flight so hope we take off the right way for the viewfotos to follo http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-332111.html .... as the journey continued jerry still kept flirting but I stood my ground Other than the touching up from a camel the ride through the desert was pretty nice which was complimented by a lovely sunset although as soon as the sunset it was freezin Yoli went prepared with a hoodie I on the other hand did not If it got much colder I may of needed to seek some camel lovin to keep me warm bu http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-327359.html G'day Pommes.. How is everyone Hope you are all fine.. Here we're still having a brilliant time in Australia. Can't believe our luck to be honest as we've had more jammy things happen than we deserve really what with the weather people we've met places we've discovered without a clue before we arrived and all the fun things we've been up to.. ok so what's newWe had a great time at Ali http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-327308.html we made it to the Ayres Rock after a relitivly good flight or so yoli tells me i was flat out the whole way we had to be up and out of the hotel for 5.30am not good Nevermind we made it to the Outback Pioneer. the weather has been really good plenty of sun and no cloud result so our 1st day comprimised of not alot really although to yoli's delight we booked the 'sounds of silence' http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-326949.html It seems like a long time since i blogged and it is true. I am writing day four at the end of day 5. I can tell you that that the 13 to 13 members are stuffedAs I write 5 kids are doing their diary entries and there is total silence. 13 is organizing dinner jac and i are having a much deserved g and t. Anyway enough formalities. Here goes. Uluru. wow. That's it. Speechless at points verb http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-324535.html WOW Can't believe we are actually here. How is this rock Along the drive today we were blown away by the majesty of Mt Conner which you encounter before you get to Uluru. Then Uluru came into view. A long drive here today from Coober Pedy this morning. The opal mines were incredible and stretched for miles and miles the landscape like something out of Star Wars. The environment changed a http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-323846.html Hello people.Today we headed to Uluru. Pretty boring drive but once we got past the border of adelaide the scenery got better and we saw some eagles. A couple of bits of road kill and red sand. Joe and I watched a couple of movies as well. The place we're staying at has a pool and a really good playground. Spaghetti Bolognaise for dinner and hopefully chilli prawns tomorrow. Can't think of anythi http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-323822.html Ever since I left Yulara the suburb next to Uluru Ayers Rock at the beginning of 2002 I have dreamed of coming back. There is something about the red earth the wide open spaces and the silence and whispering from the winds that gets into your soul. Now my dream has come true and I have returned as a Tour Guide. I am fortunate enough to get lsquoon the jobrsquo training. Hopefully I have http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-323705.html Sept 3 2008Port Augusta2088 km so far.Good help from the chap at the Home Hardware yep home concerning gas propane and bottle exchange etc.Good help too from the lady at the Info Centre. About roadhouses all the way to Alice Springs. A bit of a warning to keep away from some of the bore well water. Pretty salty and not good for you.Walked along the Esplanade in Port Augusta. Not very http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-321179.html My watch alarm was set for 5am yes five in the morning. After a heavy night thatrsquos all we wanted. Anyway they were aiming to the bush camp by about 6am which left an hour to get dressed have breakfast and dismantle our lovely tent. There were some tired eyes I can tell you that morning. Some of the others were already up dressed and having breakfast. Anyway I stumbled out of the tent http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-316775.html The requirement to hum along to that classic piece of Smokie is not obligatory as you read the blog. Uluru is apparently the most visited single site in Australia and if you are wondering if it's worth the effort to get there the answer is a big yes We'd been up at some hour well before dawn again leaving South Australia behind and crossing into the Territory. There clearly wasn't much distinct http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-316046.html last night just before sunset we got picked up from our hotel to go on what was called the 'sounds of silence' dinner. there was probably 50 or 60 people went to this.we drove out to the bush no houses nothing. after a very bumpy ride as we weren't even on a proper road we pulled over where this guy was standing he was the host and led us up to an area where this guy hunk was playing the didge http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-314413.html We waved goodbye to the East Coast feeling very sorry to leave after all the great times we've had there and boarded a plane to Ayers Rock. We stayed at the resort which is a purpose built and overpriced village in the middle of the desert within striking distance of both Uluru Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta The Olgas. As I was still feeling pretty rotten we didn't do much at all on the firs http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-314178.html After three weeks in the tropics and four weeks travelling along the stunning Queensland coastline I was quite sad when we flew out of Cairns..... But I knew that more adventures awaited...next stop Ayers RockUluru Ayers Rock is about a 5 hr drive from Alice Springs and with no other settlements in the area a purpose built resort not so originally named Ayers Rock Resort has been created. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-313512.html WHAT AN AWESOME DAY. Got up in the dark to catch the sunrise over the ROCK. Then went to the Cultural Centre to get upto speed on the aboriginal stories of the rock and how it came to be mmmmmmmmmmmmm Got a bit to eat then returned to the base of the rock for Simon the Rangers talk and walk along the Mala track. This was a very good idea and extremely interesting he talked about the Mala http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-310024.html We left Glen Helen Gorge and made our way back to Alice to stock up again before heading to Ayers Rock we only travelled half way to Mount Ebenezer to stay the night the wind was very strong and we came across many a dust storm met some friendly locals who would have loved to buy some beer from us but we are told not to sell it to them they are only allowed to buy 4 beers a day. The next day we http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Uluru/blog-310023.html